Press Releases

Read Your Roots: From Dialogue to Celebration of Filipino-German Identity in Frankfurt

September 20, 2025

Frankfurt, 20 September 2025 – Read Your Roots gathered the Filipino-German community at Brotfabrik for an afternoon of dialogue, storytelling, and performance, shining a spotlight on diaspora experiences as part of the Philippines’ Guest of Honour program at the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM) 2025.

Hosted by Filipino-Austrian actress and media personality Cindy Kurleto, the program featured a panel discussion on identity and growing up with two cultures. Panelists included writer Mo Schneyder, entrepreneur Nelson Enriquez, and actress and influencer Helga Krapf, all of whom shared personal perspectives on navigating life between Germany and the Philippines. Their reflections underscored the experiences of the Filipino-German diaspora and its role in shaping contemporary narratives of identity and belonging.

The discussion was followed by a performance from Filipino-Austrian singer and entertainer Vincent Bueno, who wrapped up the event mixing comedy, music, and spontaneous karaoke — a finale that mirrored the vibrancy of the diaspora it celebrated.

Co-organized with second-generation Filipino-German groups Halo-Halo and the podcast Henerasyon 2.0, Read Your Roots was designed as a platform for children of the diaspora in Germany to step into the spotlight and reflect on the complexities of growing up between two cultures. The program underscored the distinctiveness of the Filipino diaspora in Germany while celebrating contemporary Filipino talent.

The Land in Sicht bookstore had a popup at Brotfabrik to complement the program with a selection of Filipino novels translated to German, while author Saskia Zimmermann was also on hand with her award-winning cookbook Sarap Sarap – Cooking Filipino Style, alongside bilingual children’s literature and travel-inspired titles. Filipino books translated into German were raffled off during the program, with copies donated by Dante Verlag, Unionsverlag, and Angkor Verlag. END

Mousonturm’s Sincerely Yours, the Philippines Festival Brings Contemporary Philippine Performance to Frankfurt in Lead-Up to Philippines’ Guest of Honour role at FBM 2025

September 19, 2025

Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos

Left to right: Mousonturm Artistic Director Anna Wagner, artists Franchesca Casuay, Eisa Jocson

Frankfurt am Main, 19 September 2025 — Sincerely Yours, the Philippines, a festival of contemporary Philippine performance, opened at Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm as part of the cultural program for the Philippines’ Guest of Honour role at the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM) 2025. Mousonturm, one of Germany’s leading independent production houses, organized the 11-day festival as a platform to feature the boldness and diversity of Philippine contemporary art.

The opening featured remarks from Anna Wagner, co-artistic director of Mousonturm; Gesche Joost, President of the Goethe-Institut; festival curator Eisa Jocson; and Consul General Marie Yvette L. Banzon Abalos, who emphasized the significance of experimental and independent art in offering a contextual and multi-faceted understanding of the Philippines. The keynote was delivered by Jaya Jacobo, trans-feminist poet, scholar, and theorist, who reflected on the festival’s themes of identity, migration, and cultural imagination.

The Mousonturm space was transformed by installation artist Leeroy New with recycled plastic works accented by familiar Filipino details. The evening concluded with the premiere of the Filipino Superwoman Band, a performance exploring the history of Filipino show bands abroad and reimagining them through experimental art.

Running until 29 September 2025, the festival underscores the importance of performance as a medium for cultural exchange, critical reflection, and international dialogue. Curated by Eisa Jocson and organized by Mousonturm, the event is also supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as part of the Philippines’ Guest of Honour program at FBM 2025. END

Sulog: Filipino Architecture at the Crosscurrents Opens at the German Architecture Museum in Frankfurt

September 19, 2025

Frankfurt, 19 September 2025 – Sulog: Filipino Architecture at the Crosscurrents opened to the public at the German Architecture Museum (DAM) on 19 September 2025. The exhibition, presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in cooperation with DAM, runs until 18 January 2026 as part of the Philippines’ Guest of Honour program at the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM) 2025.

Remarks were delivered by Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos, DAM Director Peter Cachola Schmal, Simone Bühler, Head of the Guest of Honour Program of the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Senator Loren Legarda, the visionary behind the Philippines’ participation as Guest of Honour at this year’s fair (via video message).

Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos expressed pride in the Filipino architects and artists behind the project, as well as in the Filipino community in Germany, “for whom this exhibition carries a special resonance… living the very narrative that Sulog presents.” She further noted that presenting Philippine architecture on such a stage affirms not only the creativity of Filipino practitioners but also the relevance of Philippine culture in global conversations. She underscored that the exhibition contributes to deepening international understanding of the Philippines.

Curators Edson Cabalfin, Patrick Kasingsing, and Schmal emphasized that Sulog brings together leading Filipino architects and artists in an exhibition of significant international scale, situating Philippine architecture within broader global conversations.

The exhibition reimagines Philippine architecture as a dynamic flow of people, places, and processes that extend beyond borders. The title Sulog, from the Cebuano word for “streams of water,” symbolizes this ebb and flow, placing Philippine architecture within global networks of cultural exchange.

Organized around three interrelated themes — People as Networks, Places as Flows, and Processes as Flows — the exhibition highlights the roles of architects, communities, diaspora, context, culture, heritage, and socio-political influences in shaping Philippine architecture. A symposium held prior to the opening brought together architects and scholars for in-depth discussions that informed the exhibit.

Inspired by anthropologist Arjun Appadurai’s concept of “global cultural flow,” Sulog presents Philippine architecture not as confined to a single nation but as a confluence of transnational exchanges across time and space.

The opening drew a diverse audience from the German and international cultural community, marking a strong start to what promises to be one of the highlights of the Philippines’ cultural showcase in Frankfurt.

The exhibition catalogue Sulog is available as a digital download. END

Alaminos Bishop Napoleon Sipalay, Alaminos Youth Pilgrims Pay Courtesy Call on the Consulate General in Frankfurt

September 17, 2025

17 September 2025 – Bishop Napoleon Sipalay of the Diocese of Alamninos, Pangasinan led a group of Filipino Catholic youth pilgrims in paying a courtesy call on the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt on 17 September 2025.

The historic visit honors the longstanding partnership between the Diocese of Alaminos and the Diocese of Limburg, which started in 1987. Since that time, the partnership has blossomed significantly, with the Diocese of Alaminos being in charge of appointing the Chaplain for Filipino Catholics under the Diocese of Limburg.

The two Dioceses also maintain a people-to-people exchange program, which started in recent years. Under this program, volunteers from either Diocese are hosted by a family in the other diocese, during which they are able to exchange their diverse cultural, social, and religious perspectives, and the issues they face as young Catholics.

Consul General Marie Yvette L. Banzon Abalos, in her remarks to Bishop Sipalay, noted the important role of the Filipino Catholic chaplaincies in organizing Filipino communities, wherever they may be. “Where there is a Filipino Catholic chaplain, there is also a strong Filipino community,” she said. She also requested Bishop Sipalay’s prayers in ensuring the successful participation of the Philippines as Guest of Honor in this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse in October.

In addition, the Filipino youths from the Diocese of Alaminos participated in a youth celebration of the Feast of the Holy Cross organized by the Diocese of Limburg, during which the pilgrims were able to visit a number of parishes and places across the host diocese. They were also warmly received by Limburg Bishop Georg Batzinq.

The pilgrims took pride in the unique Filipino expression of faith- exuberant, colorful, energetic, and deeply personal- noting its role in sustaining and comforting the volunteers even as they faced homesickness and other challenges. END

FRANKFURT PCG AND NACC MET TO DISCUSS UPDATES IN THE PHILIPPINES’ LEGAL ADOPTION FRAMEWORK

August 26, 2025

26 August 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt welcomed delegates from the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), Director Imelda Ronda and Council Member Meluya Reluya to discuss updates in the Philippine legal adoption framework and the NACC’s work.

The meeting also provided a platform for the two sides to discuss programs and services for Filipino children adopted in Germany, underscoring both sides’ commitment to ensuring the welfare of adopted children. END

Filipino Author Irene Sarmiento Feted at the White Ravens Festival in Munich

July 14, 2025

14 July 2025 – Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos joined young literature enthusiasts at the International Youth Library’s White Ravens Festival for International Children’s and Youth Literature, held at Schloss Blutenburg in Munich, to support Filipino author Irene Sarmiento. Sarmiento, author of Stray Cats, represented the Philippines on the Festival’s White Sofa stage, sharing her work and reflections on cultural identity, migration, and her experiences as a Filipino immigrant writer based in the United States. Her book, Stray Cats, was awarded the Philippine National Children’s Book Award in 2024 and continues to earn recognition for its literary merit and cultural depth.

The White Ravens Festival, held under the patronage of the Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts, gathers authors and illustrators from around the world to celebrate outstanding children’s and youth literature and foster cross-cultural dialogue through storytelling.

The participation of a Philippine author in the festival comes as Filipino literature continues to gain visibility internationally. Alongside this event, the Philippines is preparing to be Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, further highlighting the country’s diverse literary voices on the global stage. END

Consulate–SSS Dialogue Highlights Next Steps in Advancing Social Protection for Overseas Filipinos, Including in Germany

July 3, 2025

03 July 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt welcomed the President and CEO of the Social Security System (SSS), Mr. Robert Joseph M. de Claro, and accompanying officers during their call on Consul General Marie Yvette L. Banzon Abalos on 02 July 2025. The visit marked the final stop in a 10-day mission that included engagements in Doha, Geneva, Rome, and Madrid. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between SSS and the Consulate to better serve the Filipino community in Germany, which remains under the jurisdiction of the SSS Milan office. With overseas membership still significantly low relative to the size of the diaspora, the delegation emphasized the importance of expanding SSS presence and improving access to services for Filipinos abroad.

The Consul General highlighted the diversity of the Filipino community in Germany, which includes healthcare professionals, longtime residents, and newly arrived contract workers. Many early migrants are now pension claimants and often encounter challenges in accessing benefits and navigating SSS systems remotely. In response, both sides discussed possible ways to improve access to information and services, including through closer engagement with Filipino community partners and more regular participation in consular outreach activities. The Consulate expressed its openness to supporting future initiatives that would help make SSS programs more visible, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Filipinos in Germany. END

UBE FIESTA HIGHLIGHTS STRENGTH OF FILIPINO COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL PRESENCE IN GERMAN PUBLIC LIFE

July 1, 2025

29 June 2025 – The 2025 edition of the Ube Fiesta in Germany held on 29 June, emerged as a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture and community, transforming Stuttgart’s central public square into a lively stage for heritage, creativity, and shared identity. The event, organized by Philnity e.V. and Filipino-German community organizations and volunteers in Baden-Württemberg and nearby states with the support of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and local sponsors, placed the iconic purple yam—ube—at its heart. Attendees who braved the heat were treated to a diverse array of innovative ube-inspired dishes, while cultural presentations brought Filipino music, dance, and artistry to life. Behind the scenes, the spirit of volunteerism and community leadership embodied the Filipino value of bayanihan, making the festival a true grassroots success.

Set in a prominent public space, the Ube Fiesta powerfully underscored the growing visibility and positive contribution of Filipinos within Germany’s multicultural landscape. Consul General Ivy Banzon Abalos and Stuttgary’s local officials welcomed the event as a vital platform for intercultural dialogue and community engagement, recognizing how the Filipino diaspora-led initiatives foster deeper mutual understanding and enrich the social fabric of their host cities. The festival also marked the launch of the Department of Tourism Office in Frankfurt’s Sustainable Ube Farm Tour, an initiative inviting Filipino-German travelers to engage in ube food tourism by traveling to Bohol to experience ube at its source, and to explore other destinations such as Cebu and Manila, where local flavors, farm visits, and cultural immersion promote sustainable agriculture and authentic island experiences.

Adding a literary dimension to the sensory feast, the National Book Development Board curated a Philippine literature corner featuring bilingual and German translations of PH titles, amplifying the country’s narratives in anticipation of its Guest of Honour role at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair.

The festival’s cultural richness was further heightened by a performance from Filipino pop icon Eric Santos, whose presence attracted interest from Manila-based creative industries exploring Germany’s growing potential as a cultural and entertainment hub for Filipino talent.

Through Ube Fiesta 2025, the Filipino community demonstrated how cultural celebration, entrepreneurship, and community leadership can powerfully assert their presence and contribution in German public life. END

PH MADRIGAL SINGERS SET THE TONE FOR THE PHILIPPINES GUEST OF HONOUR AT FBM 2025

June 26, 2025

26 June 2025 – The “Songs of a Culture” concert held on 26 June at the Romanfabrik in Frankfurt, headlined by the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, offered a captivating glimpse into the soul of the Philippines ahead of its Guest of Honour appearance at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025.

Attended by members of the Consular Corps, Filipino-German audiences, and cultural partners, the concert celebrated the Philippines’ rich musical heritage. With a repertoire that blended traditional folk songs and contemporary choral works, the Madrigal Singers delivered a performance that resonated deeply and set the cultural tone for the Philippines’ yearlong cultural and literary showcase across Germany. END

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE, AUTHORS GAIN MOMENTUM AS GERMAN BOOK INDUSTRY SHOWS STRONG INTEREST AHEAD OF FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR 2025

June 26, 2025

26 June 2025 – To foster deeper literary and cultural exchange, ‘Engkwento’ program was held today in Frankfurt, bringing together Philippine authors and publishers with key players in the German book industry. The evening blended performance, ritual, and literature—featuring the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ “Danas-Diwa” dream sequence and the “Ipon-Tipon” rice ritual followed by a Filipino dinner that encouraged informal conversations and connections.

Central to the program were literary excerpts from Philippine works already translated into German, such as Wild Song by Candy Gourlay and Kites in the Night by Blaise Campo Gacoscos, which sparked keen interest among German booksellers and publishers eager to bring these titles to a wider German-speaking audience. Many expressed enthusiasm for narratives that highlight decolonial perspectives, indigenous identities, and underrepresented voices, areas where Philippine literature offers rich contributions.

The event also sparked dialogue about genres with growing appeal among German readers, including graphic novels, young adult fiction, science fiction, political and historical narratives, and climate fiction. With Germany’s increasing appetite for diverse and non-Western stories, and as the Philippines prepares to be Guest of Honour at FBM 2025, “Engkwento” laid important groundwork for lasting cultural and commercial partnerships in the publishing world. END